OCEAN Program: What to Expect

Ocean safety and awareness is a necessity for kids growing up in our beach communities. Our OCEAN Program teaches participants the skills they need to safely and confidently enter our oceans, in a relaxed, fun environment with small group sizes and low instructor-to-participant ratios. While the skills being learned are real lifeguard techniques, we remove the competition intensity that other programs focus on.

Do kids need to pass a swim test?

No swim test is required. As a general guideline, participants should be able to confidently swim past the breaking waves and return to shore. If a coach determines after the first day that a participant isn't quite ready, you'll be able to transfer to another BeachSports program or receive a prorated refund. This is a case-by-case exception to our standard refund policy.

Activities and instruction

• How to identify and escape rip tides and currents
• How to safely enter and exit the water
• Navigating through breaking waves
• Paddling and ocean swimming
• Lifeguard fitness games and drills
• Ecology lessons on human impact on the ocean environment
• Meet the Lifeguards
• Boogie boarding and bodysurfing
• Age-appropriate and inclusive beach games

Safety

• Coach ratio: kept deliberately low. Every program's ratio is listed in Programs We Offer (CITs and Directors aren't counted in it).
• Certified staff: All coaches are CPR and First Aid certified, experienced watermen and waterwomen.
• Lifeguard proximity: All locations are set up next to a staffed LA County Lifeguard station. Coaches and Lifeguards communicate daily about ocean conditions, and coaches always defer to Lifeguards on safety matters.
• Rashguards: Every participant receives a brightly colored SPF rashguard so they're easily identified by coaches and Lifeguards on the beach and in the water.
• Sunscreen: Reapplication breaks are scheduled multiple times throughout the day. Shade tents are provided on the beach for kids to take a break from sun exposure.

Where it runs

Every program's meeting spot is listed in Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures, and each camp's sign-up page has its dates, ages and hours. Or just ask, and we'll check for you.